Improvement in invalid-bed bottoms



2 Sheets-Sheet 1, I. M. RHODES.

INVALID BED-BOTTOMS. No. 183,973. Patented ot.s1,1s7s.

i 1 .l' 1 1a (7 TO WITNESSES INVEN R 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2.

I. M. RHODES.

' INVALID BED-BOTTOMS.

No.183,973, Patented 0ct. 31,1876.

wumfassei I Q, ZY SZ ATTORNEYS UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC M. RHODES, OF HANCOCK, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN INVALID-BED BOTTOMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 183,973, dated October 31, 1876; application filed Mary 22, 1876.

To all whom 1t may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC M. RHODES, of Hancock, in the county of Houghton and State of Michigan, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Openings for Surgical and Invalid Beds; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being bad to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of plan view of my surgical or invalid bed closed, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same open. Fig. 3 is a bottom View, and Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view, thereof.

This invention is especially applicable to devices described and claimed in my patent dated January 6, 1874, and No. 146,281; but it is also applicable to any bed or recliningchair.

The nature of my invention consists of divided cushions which form the bottom of an invalid-couch, and which are adjustable to or from one another on slides operated by a rightand-left screw, or equivalent device, which may be opt rated by the patient, so as to open an orifice and defecate at pleasure, or afterward to close the said orifice.

In the accompanying drawings, A A designate sections of a commode-cover, or the equivalent thereof, which are attached to slides B B, and separated or brought together by the action of a right-and-left screw-rod, C, and screw-tapped sleeves D D, attached to slides B B by flanges E E. F is a bottom piece, provided with a central recess, F, and which supports the other parts of the device. Cushion-sections A A are constructed with ribs or folds a a, so that when the sections are brought together the surface will be continuous, effectually hiding the line of separation.

Any known mechanical equivalent may be substituted for the right and left screw-threaded rodfor instance, toggle arms or racks and pllllOllS.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A bed-couch or chair-bottom constructed in two sections, which are adjustable to or from each other, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a sectional bed, cushions A A, having folds or ribs a a, so as to hide the line of separation A when said cushions are brought together, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of slides B B, flanges E E, right-and-left screw-rod C, and screwtapped sleeves D D, or their equivalents, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. A bed or chair bottom provided with a central opening, which is adapted to be varied in size, as desired, or which may be entirely closed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ISAAC M. RHODES.

Witnesses:

JOHN F. AGKER, EUGENE W. JOHNSON. 

